Despite security cover for migratory birds at Chilka lake, poachers have killed at least 25 of the species from the Nalabana bird sanctuary area.
Forest officials seized 25 dead migratory birds and arrested two persons in this connection on Friday, said Ramachandra Sethi, the range officer of Balugaon Forest Division. The birds were seized from Majhi Ora village at the bank of Chilka lake.
The arrested duo, identified as Debaraj Behera (40) and Dukhishyam Behera (42) from Mangalajodi village under the Tangi police station limits, were later sent to the court, said Sethi.
The state government has banned entry into 15.53 square kilometre area of the Nalabana bird sanctuary during winter, when lakhs of migratory birds land in the lagoon.
Published 18 January 2014, 19:55 IST